California Lawmakers Tour Private ICE Detention Facility

Representatives Sara Jacobs and Mike Levin inspect conditions and care at Otay Mesa Detention Center

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:54pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the exterior of a nondescript government building, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade and surrounding landscape, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation about the facility's purpose and operations.The visit by California lawmakers sheds light on the ongoing challenges and concerns around conditions at private immigration detention centers.San Diego Today

Democratic U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs and Mike Levin toured the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, inspecting the facility and assessing the quality of care and conditions for detainees. The lawmakers were able to enter the facility, which houses mostly immigrants with no criminal records, and sample the cafeteria food, inspect the medical facilities, and speak with staff, though they were not initially allowed to talk with detainees.

Why it matters

The visit by the California representatives highlights ongoing concerns about conditions and treatment of detainees at private immigration detention centers, which have faced numerous allegations of substandard food, medical care, and other issues. The lawmakers' tour and planned return for an unannounced visit aim to provide oversight and transparency into the facility's operations.

The details

Jacobs and Levin, who represent San Diego in Congress, stated they wanted to check on complaints brought by detainees about the quality of food and medical care at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. While they were not initially allowed to speak with detainees, they were able to sample the cafeteria food, which Levin described as basic and not 'where you want to spend a long period of time.' The lawmakers praised the medical facilities as being 'on par with anything you would find in the civilian community' and the staff for doing a difficult job under difficult conditions.

  • The tour began around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2026 and lasted for almost three hours.
  • Earlier this year, federal courts ruled that members of Congress have the right to conduct unannounced, in-person inspection tours of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

The players

Sara Jacobs

Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 51st congressional district.

Mike Levin

Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 49th congressional district.

Otay Mesa Detention Center

A private immigration detention facility located in San Diego, California.

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What they’re saying

“Even though they know we know they clean up when we show up, just the fact that we show up, they know we're watching, that's why being here and asking questions is important.”

— Sara Jacobs, U.S. Representative

“I sampled the cafeteria food again, it was pork and beans and a hotdog, but we saw the food, and it's nothing that, let's just say is going to win any restaurant awards in San Diego.”

— Mike Levin, U.S. Representative

What’s next

Jacobs and Levin pledged to return to the Otay Mesa Detention Center at a future date for an unannounced visit to continue their oversight and inspection of the facility.

The takeaway

This visit by California representatives highlights the ongoing challenges and concerns around the treatment of detainees at private immigration detention centers, which have faced numerous allegations of substandard conditions. The lawmakers' efforts to provide transparency and accountability through oversight visits aim to ensure humane care and adherence to proper standards at these facilities.